5th AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo City 2008 official page
 With semifinalists already confirmed in the 66kg, 70kg, 75kg and 86kg weight divisions, quarterfinals will be held across nine weight classes at the AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo City 2008 in the Ningbo Youngor Gymnasium on Wednesday.
Key match ups will see three-times world champion Mary Kom of India take on Chinese national champion Guan Xiao Feng in the Pinweight division (46kg), while two-times world champ Jong Hyang Ri (PRK) is up against Alexandra Kuleshova of Russia in the 48kg class. Another world champion in Laishram Sarita (IND) will be in action in the 52kg quarters against Asian Championship bronze medallist Tserenchimeg Tserendorj (MGL).
Pic: Russia's Ayzznat Gadzhieva seen here supporting her teammates, is in action on Wednesday in the 60kg quarterfinals
A mouth-watering contest is in store in the 57kg quarterfinals with 2006 world champion Kum Ju Yun (PRK) taking on Sofya Ochigava (RUS), a world champion in 2006 at 54kg and in 2005 at 52kg.
After surviving a fright on Tuesday, Ireland's 60kg world champion Katie Taylor is up against Argentina number one and two-times World Championship quarterfinalist Peralta Celeste of Argentina.
On the same side of the 60kg draw is Russia's number one Ayzznat Gadzhieva, 21, who, after surviving her own scare on Tuesday (she beat Asian champion Hye Yong Kim (PRK) on a countback after the contest finished 4:4), is looking forward to her quarterfinal clash with Oleksandra Sydorenko (UKR).
 "I am very happy to be at this stage of the tournament," Gadzhieva said. "This is the ultimate in women's boxing, I have been preparing hard for this and I am extremely proud to be still in the competition. Of course, I would like to go further but I'm taking one bout at a time and I'm just concentrating on my quarterfinal clash for the moment."
Pic: Gadzhieva (left) with Sofija Sidorova of Latvia
One of the more interesting bouts of the day is the final contest of the day when the last of Egypt's five boxers remaining in the tournament will be in action. Nadia Mohamed, 19, is due to face Mioshia Wagoner, the USA national champion, in the 80kg quarterfinals, and she is effectively not only representing her country but Africa as Egypt is the only country from the continent participating in these championships. "It is a little disappointing that we are the only team from Africa participating," Mohamed said. "But this also makes us stronger and drives us to better things. We are the face of African women's boxing, and people won't forget that African boxing is a force to be reckoned with."
The quarterfinals start at 14:00 (local time). |